EVT: Marion's whining wearing thin on Suns

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

omg gossip!

Bordow: Marion sticky situation for Suns

Scott Bordow, Tribune Columnist

The Phoenix Suns love Shawn Marion, the basketball player. They treasure his versatility, his unselfishness and his ability to cover everyone from point guards to centers. He’s a freak, in a good way.

Read Scott Bordow's blog

The Suns aren’t thrilled, however, with Shawn Marion, the businessman, and that’s why the Marion for Andrei Kirilenko trade rumor can’t be summarily dismissed.

The Suns don’t want to trade Marion. They know their best chance to win a championship this season is to keep the Marion-Steve Nash-Amaré Stoudemire triumvirate together.

But Marion’s constant whining about being third in the pecking order is wearing on the Suns. They’re tired of hearing how he’s not respected when he’ll make the most money on the team this season ($16.4 million), he led Phoenix in minutes played last year and took 100 more shots than Nash and 16 more than Stoudemire.

Not to mention the three straight All-Star appearances, the invitation to play for the Olympic team, the Nike Air Force 25 commercial in which he gets equal billing with Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, and the cover of ESPN The Magazine.

We should all be so disrespected.

It’s been suggested that the Suns want to trade Marion because they think he’ll opt out of his contract after this season and become a free agent, leaving them empty-handed. Actually, Phoenix isn’t worried about that at all. As good as Marion is, no team is going to give him a contract that starts at $17.8 million (his salary for the 2007-08 season). That kind of money is reserved for superstars. And for all of Marion’s talents, he’s a complementary player, not someone who can lead a team.

But there is concern among the Suns coaching staff and front office that Marion’s grousing will become even louder if Grant Hill gets some of his shots and publicity.

Already, Marion’s jealousy of Stoudemire threatens the chemistry in the locker room. A Slam magazine reporter recently asked Marion if he was watching Stoudemire in the FIBA Americas tournament in Las Vegas. “Nope,” Marion said. Then he sat there, silent, until the next question was asked.

As much of a pain as Marion can be sometimes, though, trading him for Kirilenko is a bad idea. Kirilenko may be younger (26) and taller (6-foot-9 to Marion’s 6-7), but he can’t touch Marion as a player. Kirilenko’s best season statistically was in 2003-04, when he averaged 16.5 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. Marion’s numbers dipped last season because of Stoudemire’s return, but he still averaged 17.5 points and 9.8 rebounds per contest.

And if the Suns are worried about Marion’s attitude, why would they covet Kirilenko when he whined last season about his reduced role? If he wasn’t happy playing a supporting role to Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams, why would he be content taking a back seat to Nash, Stoudemire and Hill? A Suns source said Tuesday that while trade talks have been tabled for now, they might be reopened if Utah is willing to take on another contract, say, the $17.2 million still owed Marcus Banks.

Let’s hope the phone call is never made. Let’s hope Marion comes to his senses and understands he’s in the perfect situation, where his unique talents are showcased and his deficiencies hidden. Let’s hope the Suns aren’t so interested in dumping Banks that they weaken their team.

Odds are Marion will be with the Suns when they open the season in October. But stay tuned. This story might not have a happy ending

Who thinks Scott Bordow would fit in great here with us haha!

 

[CardNots]

Has Marion given us an indication he will changes his attitude? Not at all. Time to pack his bags and hit the road. The article is right in that Hill will get a lot of attention this year just because of who he is.

 

[Rab]

Here we go again!

 

[elindholm]

Marion won't change, but the Suns will stick with him, because no trade that the other team would agree to is worth making.

 

[CardNots]

Marion won't change, but the Suns will stick with him, because no trade that the other team would agree to is worth making.

The SUNS will dump him and his salary as soon as it makes sense. Their is no way they let him get to the point where he can opt out of his contract.

 

[elindholm]

Their is no way they let him get to the point where he can opt out of his contract.

Why not? He won't opt out, and the Suns' title window will be well closed by 2009 anyway. Just let him go and start the rebuilding process.

 

[fordronken]

Marion won't change, but the Suns will stick with him, because no trade that the other team would agree to is worth making.

Unless the Suns become willing to trade for playable depth. Miami seems to me like a team that wants high level players and will fill out the rest of their depth however they can. Marion and Banks for Haslem, Williams and Wright seems like a trade that addresses problems for the Suns and the Heat.

- The Heat would have three legitimate stars. They could trot out a starting lineup of Parker, Wade, Marion, Walker and Shaq.

- The Suns would have a dirty work power forawrd who can hit jump shots, a down-the-line wing and a point guard who actually fits the system as a back up.

- The Suns would save 13 million dollars after the season, save 5 million dollars in salary this season, plus the luxury tax money, which saves them an additional 5 million.

- I honestly think that if Williams was given the freedom to play his true, risk-reward style of play off the bench for the Suns, he'd be very effective. He's only needed to play 15 minutes per game off the bench, which would mean that Nash's minutes would cut down to 33 a game.

- They'd have a smart, big defender to go against the best opposing post player, and the Suns would have 3 big men who are capable of playing 30-40 minutes a night at power forward or center. Also, I think Diaw and Haslem would work very well together on the floor.

- Everyone has clearly defined roles. Nash is the leader. Stoudemire is the finisher and go-to scorer. Bell is the perimeter defender/shooter. Hill is the utility knife. Haslem is the post defender. Barbosa is the bench spark. Diaw is the game changing forward/center off the bench. Williams is the streaky, kind of crazy, can take over the game or be put back on the bench back up point. Am I crazy, or can that team beat San Antonio and Dallas? Haslem did a great job on Dirk in the finals, he can probably be serviceable against Duncan. Sure, we have no one to guard Parker, but we don't have that with our current team. Maybe Strawberry can do it. Who knows? But the Spurs have no one to guard Stoudemire.

Lineup
Nash/Williams/Barbosa
Bell/Barbosa
Hill/Bell/Tucker
Haslem/Diaw
Stoudemire/Diaw/Marks

If the Suns manage to add PJ Brown, they'd have a legitimate 9 player rotation of Nash, Bell, Hill, Haslem, Stoudemire, Barbosa, Diaw, Williams and Brown. There's also the hope that someone from Marks/Tucker/Strawberry could be helpful in injury situations.

 

[schutd]

If ever in the history of the CBA was there a logical time to roll the dice with a player approaching an opt out, its now between The Suns and Marion. In fact, if I were the Suns, Id low ball him with an extension offer and piss him off so much he DOES opt out. That would be a small coup, from a business sense. That silly thought/opinion aside, Marion would NEVER opt out, all else being equal and it wont play into the Suns FO decision making at all, IMO.

 

[Griffin]

The SUNS will dump him and his salary as soon as it makes sense. Their is no way they let him get to the point where he can opt out of his contract.

Marion will not opt out of his contract. But he may leave in two years, depending on how much money the Suns are willing to offer him. I think a trade next summer is a little more likely, but any team trading for him will demand he sign an extension before the trade. Maybe a sign-and-trade in two years.

As for the speculation that if Utah would take Banks, the Suns would make the deal, I hope that is not true. We've already done enough salary dumping that adversely affects the team.

But Marion’s constant whining about being third in the pecking order is wearing on the Suns. They’re tired of hearing how he’s not respected when he’ll make the most money on the team this season ($16.4 million), he led Phoenix in minutes played last year and took 100 more shots than Nash and 16 more than Stoudemire.

I wonder what Marion would have to say to those statistics if he ever complained about not getting enough shots again? What more does he want? I don't want to hear a peep out of him next season about being disrespected. This has to end.

 

[CardNots]

Why not? He won't opt out, and the Suns' title window will be well closed by 2009 anyway. Just let him go and start the rebuilding process.

My bad, I should have said the Suns will not him just leave without getting something in return. You are correct Marion would never opt out and lose 17 million dollars as no one else would pay him this kind of money.

 

[jandaman]

Cons
-Whines a lot
-Complains about lack of respect
-Gets $17 Million for his numbers, but not for his actual role in the team.

Debatables
-Doesnt step up from his 20/10/2/1.5/2 50% regular season stats for the Playoffs
-Gets shut down on the offensive end by Bruce Bowen and apparently, Tony Parker.
-Gets $17 Million for his numbers, but not for his actual role in the team.


Pros
-18/10/2/1.5/2 50% field goal player
-Top 5 finisher in the world
-Versatile
-6'7 does a 7 footer's job better than most 7 footers today.
-Has stepped up when injuries occured.
-Makes Suns tempo game work.


I'm still unsure what i really want to happen with Marion. He is very good, but is it the whining alone that suns fans want him out?
Think.. Rashard Lewis is getting $20 Million a year.. and Michael Redd too... both are better one on one scorers.. with plays for them.. but Marion beats them in every other categories.
And Suns are still to prove successful WITHOUT Marion in the line-up...
Amare was out and Suns finished 1st in pacific and WCF.
Marion was a 22/11 player that year...

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

On realgm now and probably espn insider.

This article is going to do nothing but piss marion off more

Will the crap hit the fan?

Stay tuned for more!

 

[SactownSunsFan]

-Gets shut down on the offensive end by Bruce Bowen and apparently, Tony Parker.

Why won't this rumor die. I rewatched the Suns/Spurs series. Parker NEVER guarded Marion other than on defensive swithes, which were few and far between. Also, Bowen spent most of his time on Nash. It was Finley who was the primary defender on Marion.

 

[Maligzar]

One reason I see Shawn willing to walk away from 17.8 million next year would be for security. Shawn is one of those players that once his athelticism starts to go, he's going to be mediocre very quick. He doesn't have a good shot, doesn't box out, and relys on his ability to out run and out jump his opponent. Basically he's one knee/ankle injury away from the bench.

So he could opt out with the hopes of getting 12-15 million guarenteed for the next 5 years, as opposed to 17.8 million for one season.

 

[elindholm]

So he could opt out with the hopes of getting 12-15 million guarenteed for the next 5 years, as opposed to 17.8 million for one season.

True, but who's going to give him a five-year extension at those numbers? No one wants to pay Marion $15 million in 2012-13, when he's 34 years old.

 

[jandaman]

Suns should offer him 4/40 Million after this season, if he accepts then so be it. He gets offered around the 15/a year range then, let it go.

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

4/48 would prob be what the negotiation ends up as

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Unless the Suns become willing to trade for playable depth. Miami seems to me like a team that wants high level players and will fill out the rest of their depth however they can. Marion and Banks for Haslem, Williams and Wright seems like a trade that addresses problems for the Suns and the Heat.

- The Heat would have three legitimate stars. They could trot out a starting lineup of Parker, Wade, Marion, Walker and Shaq.

- The Suns would have a dirty work power forawrd who can hit jump shots, a down-the-line wing and a point guard who actually fits the system as a back up.

- The Suns would save 13 million dollars after the season, save 5 million dollars in salary this season, plus the luxury tax money, which saves them an additional 5 million.

- I honestly think that if Williams was given the freedom to play his true, risk-reward style of play off the bench for the Suns, he'd be very effective. He's only needed to play 15 minutes per game off the bench, which would mean that Nash's minutes would cut down to 33 a game.

- They'd have a smart, big defender to go against the best opposing post player, and the Suns would have 3 big men who are capable of playing 30-40 minutes a night at power forward or center. Also, I think Diaw and Haslem would work very well together on the floor.

- Everyone has clearly defined roles. Nash is the leader. Stoudemire is the finisher and go-to scorer. Bell is the perimeter defender/shooter. Hill is the utility knife. Haslem is the post defender. Barbosa is the bench spark. Diaw is the game changing forward/center off the bench. Williams is the streaky, kind of crazy, can take over the game or be put back on the bench back up point. Am I crazy, or can that team beat San Antonio and Dallas? Haslem did a great job on Dirk in the finals, he can probably be serviceable against Duncan. Sure, we have no one to guard Parker, but we don't have that with our current team. Maybe Strawberry can do it. Who knows? But the Spurs have no one to guard Stoudemire.

Lineup
Nash/Williams/Barbosa
Bell/Barbosa
Hill/Bell/Tucker
Haslem/Diaw
Stoudemire/Diaw/Marks

If the Suns manage to add PJ Brown, they'd have a legitimate 9 player rotation of Nash, Bell, Hill, Haslem, Stoudemire, Barbosa, Diaw, Williams and Brown. There's also the hope that someone from Marks/Tucker/Strawberry could be helpful in injury situations.

wow - when i read trade with Miami I thought no way. But that actually makes alot of sense.

Sold.

 

[Cheesebeef]

i gotta tell you, for most of the summer, I kind of shrugged off Eric's proclamation of poor play due to chemistry problems, but man, we're two months away from the season and that's a pretty damning article on the guy who apparently causes all these problems, not to mention the Utah thing cropping up.

this will definitely be an interesting couple of months leading into the season... says the Captain of the Obvious.

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

Storm's a'brewin

We're currently at Tropical Depression level for now, but I've seen these things spring up into a CAT 4 overnight.

Stay tuned for more!

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

wow - when i read trade with Miami I thought no way. But that actually makes alot of sense.

Sold.

No way!

Heat 2010 pick or I dont even reach for my wallet.

Throw in piatowski if you must.

 

[elindholm]

Throw in piatowski if you must.

Please tell me that's a joke.

 

[hsandhu]

i gotta tell you, for most of the summer, I kind of shrugged off Eric's proclamation of poor play due to chemistry problems, but man, we're two months away from the season and that's a pretty damning article on the guy who apparently causes all these problems, not to mention the Utah thing cropping up.

this will definitely be an interesting couple of months leading into the season... says the Captain of the Obvious.

Hey cheese, would you do Marion/Banks for AK and either Brewer/Milsapp. I think I would, for many reasons.

Both marion and ak have their emotional problems, but if ak could get his head on straight... he actually plays the defense Marion is credited with playing.

With those arms and agility he is both as strong a wing defender as you'll find, plus a guy that can help out and protect the basket.

 

[PhxGametime]

Do yall believe at 6'9 that Kirilenko could play the 5 in the Suns system?? Obviously his primary position would be the 4 but IMO Marion has no business playing the 5 and at two inches taller and being a better shot-blocker, could he play there (limited minutes)??


IMO if Diaw can get away with it...


C - Stoudemire, Diaw, FA, Kirilenko, Marks


??

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

Please tell me that's a joke.

Affirmative